Nauravan kulkurin tarina, a musical drama about the life of Vesa-Matti Loiri, makes its eagerly awaited premiere on the Main Stage.

Nauravan kulkurin tarina is a moving, humorous and poetic celebration of art and entertainment, told through the story of Vesa-Matti Loiri (4.1.1945-10.8.2022) and accompanied by the timeless music he performed. What lay behind the songs beloved by audiences and the unforgettable comic and tragic roles that went down in history? The Main Stage will be filled with Vesku’s best-known characters, encounters with people who mattered to him, and glimpses into the era in which Loiri’s art and works were created.

“Nauravan kulkurin tarina tells the story of an artist who searches passionately for the truth and becomes loved by an entire nation. Yet no matter how wholeheartedly he throws himself into life, follows his passions and ultimately finds almost everything he has been searching for, peace still seems to elude him. At its best, art draws us all towards the light and reminds us that there is beauty in the world,” says director Paavo Westerberg.

“This production celebrates the performing arts and reminds us all of the incredible power of coming together to explore the questions that matter,” Westerberg concludes.

The play focuses on the 1970s and 1980s, while also offering glimpses of Loiri’s earlier years and later life. In particular, it delves into an era of shared national culture, when art and entertainment were often seen as opposites.

The older Loiri is played by Santeri Kinnunen, with Oliver Kollberg portraying him as a young man.

“I have approached the role from a respectful distance, because we are not setting out to create an impersonation. All the parallels with Loiri are written into the script, and my main task is to create the human being within it. It has been a fascinating journey,” says actor Santeri Kinnunen, who also knew Loiri personally.

“I’ve been trying to understand the essence of Vesa-Matti Loiri – what it was that made his performances so extraordinary. I think it goes hand in hand with the person he was. It has also been immensely interesting to reflect on my own identity as a performer in relation to him. At times, playing Vesku, such a consummate performer, feels like an absurd challenge. All you can do is surrender to playfulness and freedom!” says actor Oliver Kollberg, making his first guest appearance at Helsinki City Theatre.

Alongside Santeri Kinnunen and Oliver Kollberg, the cast includes Maria Ylipää, Joel Hirvonen, Vuokko Hovatta, Jouko Klemettilä, Lasse Lipponen, Ella Lymi, Vappu Nalbantoglu, Jari Pehkonen, Ursula Salo, Antti Timonen and Kaisa Torkkel.

The live band on stage features Varre Vartiainen, Jussi Lehtonen, Ilmari Rönkä and Joonas Tuuri. Together with the band, the 13-member acting ensemble performs music that was important to Vesku as well as songs he made famous. The play features, among other works, compositions based on poems by Eino Leino and Uuno Kailas, presented in new arrangements and woven into the story.

The play is written by Sami Keski-Vähälä and adapted and directed by Paavo Westerberg. The dramaturg is Ari-Pekka Lahti. Music dramaturgy and arrangements are by Eeva Kontu. The set is designed by Antti Mattila, with costume design by Tiina Kaukanen. The choreographer is Valtteri Raekallio. Lighting design is by Aku Lahti, video design by Timo Teräväinen and sound design by Jaakko Virmavirta. Hair and make-up design is by Milja Mensonen.

Vesa-Matti Loiri was a legendary actor, comedian, singer and musician known and loved throughout Finland. He worked as an actor at Helsinki City Theatre from 1965 to 1971 and later returned as a guest performer in Dostojevski’s Riivaajissa, directed by Kalle Holmberg, in 1989.

Read an interview with director Paavo Westerberg on the theatre’s website: Ylistyslaulu taiteelle ja Loirin erityislaaduille

Nauravan kulkurin tarina –premieres on 30.9.2026 on the Main Stage at Helsinki City Theatre (Eläintarhantie 5).

Standard ticket 64 €, student ticket 32 € (Mon–Thu) and senior ticket 61 € (Mon–Thu) #nauravankulkurintarina @hktfi

Helsinki City Theatre ticket sales and customer service by phone: (09) 3940 22, Mon–Fri 10am–5pm. Ticket shop at Ensi linja 2, Mon–Fri 12 noon–5pm. The box offices at Eläintarhantie 5 and the other venues open one hour before performances at the respective venue. Tickets are also available from lippu.fi, Mon–Sat 9am–7pm, tel. 0600 900 900 (2 €/min + local network charge) www.hkt.fi

Press release image: Santeri Kinnunen. Photo: Ilkka Saastamoinen

Further information, interview requests and media ticket enquiries:
Communications Manager Kaisa Pelkonen, kaisa.pelkonen@hkt.fi, 040 552 3788
Helsinki City Theatre, Ensi linja 2, 00530 Helsinki